Parks-Belk Building To Be Demolished

After the Parks-Belk building in Morristown was severely damaged by fire, there were hopes that part of the historic structure in downtown Morristown could be saved. That, however, will not be the case. Morristown City officials met mid-week to discuss the building’s future. An engineer told officials that the building is not safe and is beyond repair and needs to be demolished for the public’s safety.

Morristown Corner Development, the owner of the Parks-Belk building, is now taking bids for the building’s demolition. North Cumberland and West Main Streets have been closed since that fire happened on January 2. Those streets will remain closed until the building’s demolition is complete.

Jeffrey Scott Cicirelli, of Lavonia, Michigan is being charged with arson in the burning of the Parks-Belk building. Cicirelli told investigators the historic structure was just the first of others he had planned on burning down in the downtown Morristown area.